A number of south coast fishing firms are taking advantage of GRP Laminates unique ‘fit & kit’ option to customise brand new 11 and 12m keel boats ready for the 2010 season.
The South Boats Special Projects keel boat offers a tried and trusted catamaran platform for commercial fishing and dive companies. Now, as part of the ongoing partnership between South Boats and GRP Laminates, the boats are being made available as ‘part builds’. The idea came from conversations GRP technical director Bob Bennett had with a number of fishermen and charter fleet owners.
“Many smaller operators don’t have major capital to invest but do have the capacity and skills to do much of the finishing and kitting of their boats themselves. As well as cutting costs, this means they can configure the deck, fittings etc. to meet their own needs.”
The GRP keel catamaran is highly regarded for its stability, sea-keeping and good working deck space. Now there is a new, cost-effective and flexible way for independent, family-owned firms to afford and customise these workboats. Timing has proved important in launching this ‘fit & kit’ option, with GRP Laminates customers taking on these part builds as projects for the winter while much of the fleet is laid up.
Bob Bennet explains how it works: “We mould the hull, superstructure, deck, consoles, seats and so on as separate elements anyway. Now we are simply making the parts available to people who have the ability to finish it off and do some elements themselves.” That can range from doing everything including fitting the entire deck and pre-moulded superstructure, to simply kitting out a boat with hull, deck and superstructure in place.
Customers can select hull colour, seats and other optional extras, and GRP Laminates is developing an on-line specification tool listing all available components, prices and options. While the first wave of take-up has been in the charter fishing market there has also been keen interest from commercial and leisure dive operators.
